It was one of those “ahhh” moments that a mother’s heart loves.
Breakfast was finished, and we journeyed to the couch for our devotions.
Why do teenagers leave “the church?”
Or more specifically – What has led to the startling statistic that 75% of evangelical Christians walk away from their faith with in 2 years of entering college.
They could tell their merry mom was getting into one of her preacher moods.
“What is the responsibility of the parent… my role as a mother….our role in modeling authentic living.”
Oh yes, my children, the room was heating up tremendously.
As I challenged them with all the spiritual authority I could muster, I do believe a lighter began swaying over my head, and a resounding chorus of
It only takes a spark, followed by People need the Lord (that’s an inside joke for all you who grew up in the church during the 70’s/80’s ;), ….bellowed through our hallowed halls.
Well, the moment I proclaimed that they may be the only Jesus that anyone ever sees,
coupled with the charge to make a difference – at the store, at church, on the football field….that is when the bedlam began.
It only “takes a small spark” to change the mood, doesn’t it, and that was it. It had been flamed.
The moment on my soap box was interrupted.
Amongst the giggles,
“Oh, he has made a difference all right,” retorted the siblings.
And the “difference” was explained….in details which I will leave out.
Every mother’s dream is echoed in the Proverbs 31 woman’s exhortation that their children will rise up and call her blessed. Agreed?
Well, my mother’s heart was done proud when my son (leaving out names to protect the innocent) let his “Jesus light shine” (one of our family mottoes), on the football field.
It came to my attention, during our special family bonding time, that this particular son has a new nickname.
Yes, a nickname specially picked from a few of those fellow football friends whose lives he has impacted.
FARTIGUS or FARTIGOUS…
not quite sure I have ever seen this spelled as a Proper Noun before, but let your imagination wander.
Yep, I stand in amazement at the wonder of it all.
I am blessed, and you are blessed to know me.
To think that in a few short years, Fartigous will rise up and call me blessed.
AHHH – does a mamma’s heart good.
Don’t you just love a few boys of bedlam?
***edited…my hubby thinks I need to add an explanation of FART…igus…
Based on the comments, I definitely think every one is tracking with me. And he’s not even a blond – love you anyway honey. 🙂
too funny. makes me kinda glad I only have girls so far. =)
Just wanted to say though that your devotions topic is something that is often heavy on my mind. From my experience I think it has to do with being taught internal values rather than just external controls. however, how does that translate easily into what my role as a mother is? Especially when I grew up in a church/school where it was all about external looks/controls. It’s a hard habit to get out of and be able to teach your children the right way.
found your blog last week through chatting at the sky. I’m enjoying it. =)
“It only takes a spark, to get a fire goOHing…”, “Every day, they pass me by..” Oh, yes, I’m reminiscing! : )
Here I thought this was going to be a serious post about your devotions with your kids. Fartigus? BWAAHAHAHA!
Oh don’t kid yourself….my girls could give your Fartigus a run for his gaseous money!!
I love the way your write…makes me laugh!
Boys are a hoot! But I have a girl that could give him a run for his money!!!
I remember those two songs my childhood.
Too funny. Boys are just born knowing how to be revolting and it seems they NEVER grow out of it. Oh well – good thing toilet humor is pretty funny huh?
Yikes, puberty, I’m so not looking forward to that. at. all. Fartigous. Funny. My three-year-old boy ALREADY does some earth-shaking rumblers.
Side note: How the heck do you manage with 5 kids? I can barely handle three. though I’ve been informed several times that after three, it’s all the same. Bedlam, right?
Very funny!!
LOL, tell hubby that all of us with husbands at home understood that reference perfectly well from the first reading!
Growing up in church all my life, I totally get the song references too!
Cute, cute post, Jen! You’re a good mama.
Rhoda
Oh my gosh…that is HILARIOUS!!! Fartigus…too funny!
i am so right there with nikkicrumpet! I only have girls, and to steal their phrase…OMG!!! Can they ever smell!!! My seven year old, just last night, kept giggling. I wondered, but didnt say anything, then, another giggle, then POP, POP, POP!!! She full out laughs and shyly says, “excuse me.” LOL!!!! oh my……
Why are boys so open about these gassious situations? Bodily functions seem to strike humor in all of us. :-0
Those boy bonding moments on the ball field! You never know, gas might be the open door that gets some other poor kid to open his heart to the Lord. Stranger things have happened.
On a more serious note, I’d like it very much if you posted some of your findings and insights about why kids leave the church/Lord.
AHAHAHAHAHAHHHAAA….. Oh, that did the heart good this morning. Yes… boys will be boys. Isn’t it always amazing that when you are trying to teach wonderful truths from God’s Word that incidents like this happen? This was too funny. 🙂
Very funny, and I great song references.
So precious. Makes you want to curl right up with him and read him a sweet story before bed. hahaha. – and girls are not immune from, escaping air. 🙂
Oh Jen..this is just so hilarious…So I guess the tooty tot humor just never ends, because my kids (8 and 6)think tooting IS the funniest thing ever! Yes even my precious little girl..ACK!